Just a day after the fresh government was sworn in, the Law and Justice went to political controversy, presenting a paper called the “Polish Declaration”. This initiative, which contains 10 organization priorities, is widely seen as a strategical decision to attract the Confederation and build a fresh alliance on the right. Jarosław Kaczyński did not hide that the paper was an open invitation to talks. However, Sławomir Mentzen's consequence was immediate and unambiguous, reducing the zeal of the PiS leader and showing that the arrangement of forces on the political phase could have undergone fundamental change. The leader of the Confederacy has clearly declared that his group does not intend to sign "socialist nonsense" and that it will dictate the conditions for possible partners in the future. This public dispute begins a new, fascinating chapter in relations between the 2 top forces of the Polish right hand, and its result may decide on the form of the future opposition and possible government coalitions.
"Poland Declaration", that is the hand drawn to the Confederation
Law and Justice, trying to regain the political initiative, published a 10-point “Polish Declaration”. At first glance, this paper may seem only a collection of already known organization demands. However, its real intent is not to present a fresh programme, but alternatively to probe the ground under a possible coalition with the Confederation. The points were formulated in a general way, but at the same time ideologically consistent with the rhetoric of the Confederate so that they could become the basis for talks. Jarosław Kaczyński left no uncertainty about this during his speech.
"We ask the Confederation to sign this declaration. We are making it public and we want to do so. It's crucial today. We request to know who wants what and what the splits consequence from," said the president of the Law and Justice Office, clearly pointing out to the addressee of his proposal. This decision is an effort to “count the swords” and to see if there is simply a will on the right to unite forces in the face of the regulation of the fresh coalition. Kaczyński, who has been dismissive about the younger leaders of the Confederate, now sees them as key partners. This shows how much the political situation has changed and how much the Law and Justice needs allies to think about returning to power.
What does the PiS paper contain? Back to Coal and Left Password
The analysis of the content of the “Polish Declaration” shows that this is simply a tightening of the current course alternatively than an effort to open up to a fresh electorate. Among the demands, we will find the announcement of Donald Tusk's criminal prosecution, the declaration of an inextricable alliance with the US, even at the expense of relations with the European Union, and – which raises the top controversy – An highly extremist stance on coal. Point 9 of the paper is in practice the announcement of the withdrawal of Poland in the energy transition by years. Experts, specified as Tomasz Wiśniewski from Business Info, inform that specified an action would hit the innovation of the Polish economy and would exposure the country to immense financial costs, well above the social contract with miners signed by the government of Mateusz Morawiecki.
However, there is 1 point in the declaration that clearly departs from the remainder and is an effort to play on the emotions of younger voters. The PiS decided to take over the left-wing slogan ‘Legal residence, not goods’, promising indeterminate measures to lower property prices. It was this request that became an inflammatory spark and the main point of criticism on the part of Sławomir Mentzen, who considered it unacceptable "socialist nonsense", completely contrary to the Confederation's free marketplace programme.
Sławomir Mentzen quenchs the fervor of PiS. “We will set the conditions”
The Confederate leader's consequence to Jarosław Kaczyński's appeal was swift and left no illusions. Sławomir Mentzen in sharp words rejected the PiS proposal, indicating that the times in which his organization might have been treated as a younger, subordinate partner had passed away. In his statement, he stressed the change in power on the political stage. "When presenting the Polish Declaration, Jarosław Kaczyński did not announcement that the political situation had changed. It is the Law and Justice that needs the Confederation, not the Confederation of Law and Justice.” said Mentzen.
Moreover, the leader of the Confederacy announced that it was his group that would take the initiative in shaping future alliances. "In due time, we will present to possible partners our conditions, in which there will surely be no socialist nonsense, specified as: surviving by law, not by goods." This declaration is not only a rejection of a peculiar point of the programme, but, above all, a manifestation of strength and independence. Mentzen proved that he perfectly remembers Kaczyński's disrespectful statements from the past and does not intend to enter the alliance from the position of a petent. It is simply a clear signal that any cooperation will be possible only on the terms of the Confederation.
What future awaits the right? The dream of a fast coalition is over.
The public exchange between Kaczyński and Mentzen definitely closes the discussion on a fast and trouble-free coalition on the right. It turned out that the effort to build a common front through the Law and Justice broke down by the Confederacy's tough attitude, which feels strong adequate to dictate conditions. Sławomir Mentzen's reaction proves that his organization has drawn conclusions from the past and does not intend to be dominated or absorbed by a larger partner. The leader of the Confederacy, as he has shown in the past, can play an even weaker position to maximise his political profits.
This is simply a bitter lesson for Law and Justice. The party, which has dominated the right for years, now has to face a fresh reality in which it is no longer the only player dealing cards. The rejection of the “Polish Declaration” by the Confederation, before the discussion began for good, shows deep programme and strategical differences between the 2 groups. The future of the Polish right is becoming increasingly unpredictable. alternatively of uniting in the opposition, we can witness fierce competition for leadership and who will form its ideological and program face in the future.
Continued here:
PiS presents the Polish Declaration. Mentzen responds to Kaczyński: “no nonsense”
